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RFH 2010, Cover Stories, HCS Boys Basketball

HCS Honors Boys Basketball Team

Mon, Apr 04, 2011

HCS Honors Boys Basketball Team

Fans, players and parents got a replay of the recently completed HCS boys basketball season and received a glimpse at the future.

Coaches recognized and thanked the varsity, JV and modified teams at a banquet in the HCS cafeteria this evening. Varsity Coach Dave Rhyde recapped the 2010-2011 season and honored this year's players and welcomed JV and modified players to be part of the tradition that is Emerald Knights basketball.

Speaking to the parents at the end of the program, Rhyde told the parents, "I really enjoy your kids."

That was evident throughout the evening as Rhyde, who has coached at HCS for 28 years, became choked up at times talking about members of his team.

Modified coaches Joe LePage and Brian Latella introduced the members of the seventh and eighth grade teams and gave recaps of their seasons.

Matt Jacobsen gave a quick replay of the JV squad's 11-5 seasons. They averaged 47 points per game and gave up an average of 37 per game.

"I could go on all day about your sons," Jacobsen told parents when he concluded his speech.

Rhyde closed out the evening talk about the varisty's season and by thanking all of the peope who worked together to make basketballl at HCS possible, including and especially Athletic Director Bill Dowsland.

Rhyde introduced the juniors who played for him this year and who he is look to for leadership in the 2011-2012 season. They included:

  • Alan Schult, who Rhyde said has "one of the nicest shots I have seen" and said he expects Schult to be one of the team scorers next year;
  • Sam Riley, a point guard he is also looking to for points production in the year ahead;
  • and Sam Owens, who Rhyde said can score from inside and outside.

Rhyde wrapped things up be honoring his seniors, most of who played several years for him. This year's seniors include:

  • John Andrezejek, who had a season high of 29 points in one game, and who Ryde called a "relentless competitor";
  • Phil Douchinsky. the Knight's sixth man, who Rhyde recognized for his involvement not just in basketball but in the school musical and Model UN;
  • Tom Hilgenberg, HCS' "gentle giant", who Rhyde credited with helping two of the league's top scorers undr double figures this year;
  • Cam Fisher, who Rhyde said mad 73 three-point shots, including two games in which he had eight threes;
  • and Lucas Rhyde, who led the team with 57 steals.

Rhyde said that despite a sometimes difficult seaosn, his team met a main goal of making it to the sectionals. They ost at Lyme in the first round, but Rhyde said he was pleased with and proud of his team's efforts.

Like the other coaches, Rhyde thanked players' parents for all of the sacrifices they made so their kids could be part of the team.

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